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Actress Bellamy Young never expected to have such a starring role on the hit series "Scandal," which returns from its mid-season break tonight. Young said that the love triangle between lead Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) and President Fitz Grant (Tony Goldwyn) only grows "more intense" with each upcoming episode.

"It grows more intense and more stuff happens with every episode, and we talk faster!" Young laughed. "Off camera, they're shouting 'Scandal-pace' at us because they write these long, intricate scripts, and we have to get it all in."

(Photo: Reuters/Danny Moloshok)

Cast member Bellamy Young arrives for the premiere of "National Lampoon Presents One, Two, Many" in Los Angeles April 10, 2008.

Young never thought she would still be part of the series, especially playing such a strong First Lady, after the cast's first script reading.

"Shonda [Rhimes] went around the table afterward, telling all the actors what their story arcs would be for the first seven episodes. When she got to me, she said, 'I think you'll be here for about three episodes,' and I heard her say something about 'presidential divorce.' I'm dying inside, but I'm trying to smile. I'm Southern. I'm trying to be polite," Young said.

But Young's character did stick around and has created her own space on the series – a space that can hold its own against any other character. As the series has developed, viewers have learned more about Young's character and the extraordinary lengths she has gone to to support her husband and ensure his success as President, and her own as First Lady.

"Who hopes THIS high? Mellie [her character] has become so multifaceted. So wrong and so right. SO ambitious and so selfless. A loser and a winner. And however you judge her ability to love, she does love Fitz – to her detriment!" Young noted.

"Scandal" became an overnight sensation that is still running strong in its third season. Viewers cannot wait for tonight's return from mid-season break. The episode will pick up exactly where the previous left off, with no time lost.